Water Management in the Bakken

1. WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE BAKKEN
Atlantic Council Workshop
Fossil Fuel Produced Water: Asset or Waste
Washington, DC
June 24-25, 2013
Authors:
J. Daniel (Dan) Arthur, P.E., SPEC
David Alleman

2. ALL Consulting…
Hydraulic Fracturing
Considerations for Natural
Gas Wells of the Marcellus
Shale
2008
(first paper addressing
environmental implications of
fracturing)
June 2013 Copyright (c) 2013 ALL Consulting 2

3. Shale Oil N. Dakota
• North Dakota has passed
Alaska to become the 2nd largest
oil-producing state.
• North Dakota’s unemployment is
3.3% compared to the national
average of 7.2%.
• One-third of the natural gas
produced in N. Dakota is flared.
• Worker demand in North Dakota
is high enough that a workers at
McDonalds can earn up to
$25/hour!
• Rent in Williston ranges from
$2,000 to $3,400 for a one-
bedroom apartment.
June 2013 3Copyright (c) 2012 ALL Consulting

4. Water: An Array of Considerations
• Logistics: Methods for transporting water and resultant wastes
can carry wide variations in costs, liabilities, resource
production, manpower, community relations, and environmental
implications.
• Sourcing: Choosing options for sourcing that is best suited to a
particular play or region is critical.
• Storage: A key aspect to the feasibility of many
options, especially for central
facilities, reuse/recycling, blending, etc.
• Treatment: Treatment adds costs and creates waste. To use
treatment, economic thresholds must be achieved.
• Disposal/Reuse: Options are generally driven by the character
of a play or region.
• Compliance/Monitoring: Critical aspect of managing water!
March 2013 4Copyright (c) 2013 ALL Consulting

5. Water Use in the Bakken
June 2013
5
• Average water use
in the Bakken is
approximately 2.1
million gallons per
well
• Range is from
approximately 1.0
to 9.5 million
gallons per well

6. Water Sourcing in the Bakken
June 2013 ALL Consulting 6
• Primary Water Sources
• Municipal fresh water
• Fresh ground water
• Lake Sakakawea – Conflicts
regarding water use have been
resolved (at least temporarily)
• Now that water from Lake
Sakakwea is allowed, water
supply does not seem to be
an issue at present.

7. Alternate Water Sources - Bakken
June 2013 ALL Consulting 7
• Municipal grey water (POTWs)
– Supply is limited due to size
of population centers
• Saline aquifers – water cycling
is possible
• Water pulled from the
Dakota aquifer (~6,000
ppm TDS) then re-injected
in the lower portion of the
aquifer
• Uneconomic at present
Bakken

8. Water Sourcing Logistics
• Operators may procure their own
water sources or may purchase
from water depots or trucking
companies
• Fresh water costs range from
approximately $1.50 - $5.00
• Most water is transported by truck
• Water is typically heated to
approximately 80o F prior to mixing
and injection
• Water is typically stored in insulated
tanks at centralized facilities
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
8Copyright (c) 2012 ALL ConsultingJune 2013

9. PW Quality
• Produced water quality
in the Bakken can
range from
approximately 30,000
to 250,000 ppm TDS
• Varies significantly by
well
• Varies over time
June 2013 9Copyright (c) 2013 ALL Consulting

10. PW Management Bakken
• Approximately 20% of PW in
the Bakken is reused in
subsequent fracture
operations
• The remaining 80% is
disposed via Class II injection
• Widespread availability of
injection wells makes reuse
less attractive in most areas
• The Dakota aquifer west of the
Missouri river is “exempt” and
serves as the primary disposal
zone
June 2013 10Copyright (c) 2013 ALL Consulting

11. Citation Information:
Arthur, J.D., and David Alleman (ALL Consulting). Produced Water Management in
Unconventional Resource Plays: Strategies and Technology Needs”. Presented at the
Atlantic Council Workshop on Produced Water: Asset or Waste?, June 24-25, 2013.
Contact Information
David Alleman
Environmental Manager
dalleman@all-llc.com
ALL Consulting
1718 S. Cheyenne Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
www.all-llc.com
June 2013 11Copyright (c) 2013 ALL Consulting